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Chelsea are “closely monitoring” Brentford left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf, according to reports.

DSports claim that both the Blues and Liverpool are keeping an eye on the Senegalese international.

Diouf only moved to the Gtech Community Stadium at the end of August, having sealed a £40m switch from West Ham.

He has yet to establish himself as a regular starter at his new team, with Bees head coach Keith Andrews having started him in just one Premier League game so far.

Will a move be made for Diouf in January?

It is believed that Chelsea’s scouts are keeping tabs on the 21-year-old with a view to a possible approach next summer.

Xabi Alonso’s side are expected to be active during the January transfer window, but the main focus of the recruitment team will be on reinforcing the midfield.

Bournemouth’s Alex Scott is said to be the priority target, and there is an expectation that another bid for the England international will be lodged in the New Year.

Chelsea reportedly had more than one offer turned down for the midfielder before the start of the campaign.

Do Chelsea need another left-back?

Alonso can already call upon Jorrel Hato, Pep Chavarria and even Geovany Quenda as potential options on the left-hand side.

However, Hato is arguably more comfortable as part of a back three, while Quenda is seemingly classed as an out-and-out winger by Alonso, rather than a wingback.

Chavarria, meanwhile, will turn 29 in April, so the Spaniard isn’t a long-term solution. With that in mind, you can understand why Diouf may be on the London club’s radar. It remains to be seen, though, whether it will actually lead to a bid being lodged.